He quit Doctor Who in 2005 after just one series and turned down the chance to return for the 50th anniversary special two years ago.
But Christopher Eccleston has chosen to reprise his role as the ninth Doctor in a special video for a sick fan.
The 51-year-old actor refers to himself as ‘number nine’ in the touching message to 14-year-old Daniel, who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) (a genetic condition which affects the connective tissue in the body) and Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (a condition which affects his heart rate).